Antec P182 Advanced Super Mid Tower

Introduction

Antec have been producing quality PC products for a fair number of years now. Last year we took a look at one of their higher-end cases, the P180b . Today i'll be looking at the P180's younger brother, aptly named the P182.

Packaging

The packaging on the P182 was very close to the packaging of the original P180. On the front we see an overview of the case and some blurb outlining the case's main selling points, while the back portrays a more in depth description of the chassis.

The box had been rather battered during its trip to me. But thankfully, the packaging was sufficient to maintain it in good condition. As you can see the case is held in place by large polystyrene surrounds, with a cardboard cover keeping the case secure. For that additional protection the metal on the case was covered in a sticky backed plastic to prevent scratches.

Package

Included with the case are a few accessories. Firstly there's 3 fans. They are the same Tri-cools that the original P180 used. These are excellent fans which have a 3 way switch that allows you to change the RPM of the fan. There's the 'spoiler', manuals and some curious metal bars that hold a fan in place. I noticed that with the P182, that Antec havn't bothered to print a new manual... instead they have just included the old P180b one. It's not really that much of an issue but Antec could have at least printed some new covers. Also included are the rails that secure the various drives into their bays and enough screws to build a house.

I assume it would be difficult to get a side window in the 3-layer side panel though. Not to mention, it would defeat the purpose of having the 3-layer panel,as noise would easily make it through the window.

I assume it would be difficult to get a side window in the 3-layer side panel though. Not to mention, it would defeat the purpose of having the 3-layer panel,as noise would easily make it through the window.

you got it there. From modding my P180b i can tell you its a total pita too cut.

kustom do a P180 with a side window....why cant antec just do one, with either a super thick perspex, or 3 layers of perspex or somthing....with perhaps foam to hold it in round the edges, or ...them rubber things they use on proper windows to hold them in, that would prevent any sound getting out imo

Inside is horrible, and why would you want to see the PSU compartment which is always just a mess of wires. not only that but that windows is crud. They should have rubber trimmed the cut and put some thinner acrylic on the inside

Going to have to agree with you on that one, unlike the outside of the case, the interior looks extremely fugly.

Maybe if it was painted black like the SE edition, even then, it's more the layout that makes it ugly than the finish.

What they could have done with that window, is make it so that you only see the mobo area, and they should have mounted the window on the inside and made a bevel on it to make it flush with the outside.

Going to have to agree with you on that one, unlike the outside of the case, the interior looks extremely fugly.

Maybe if it was painted black like the SE edition, even then, it's more the layout that makes it ugly than the finish.

What they could have done with that window, is make it so that you only see the mobo area, and they should have mounted the window on the inside and made a bevel on it to make it flush with the outside.

I was just wondering where the pump would go and how the rad on the back would fit.

Would it not get in the way of the motherboard external connections or can I mount it so its above the case ?

External rear mounting of the radiator IS an option, but you would need to put some effort into making effective and spacious brakets. The top is plastic and so easily cut to accommodate a radiator OR you can mount the radiator on feet on top of the case and run the hosing to it via the two pre-cut holes in the back of the case.

Not sure if you've got one already but I have a P182 here for sale for like £50 o.n.o if you're interested

External rear mounting of the radiator IS an option, but you would need to put some effort into making effective and spacious brakets. The top is plastic and so easily cut to accommodate a radiator OR you can mount the radiator on feet on top of the case and run the hosing to it via the two pre-cut holes in the back of the case.

Not sure if you've got one already but I have a P182 here for sale for like £50 o.n.o if you're interested

Definitely interested if its in good condition and comes with all the parts like new. Was just about to buy one over the next few days if it can fit a water cooling setup without too much hassle.

Definitely interested if its in good condition and comes with all the parts like new. Was just about to buy one over the next few days if it can fit a water cooling setup without too much hassle.

Can the radiator only be mounted on the back and not the top ?

good lad. add my msn if youre able - llwyd(at)overclock3d(dot)net

rear mounting would probably be the most effort as the radiator needs to be a good 6"+ away from the back of the case. mounting it on top would be my first choice (although I ran it with the radiator sat on some feet on the desk next to the pc) as it leaves the case untouched for the future and keeps it away from warm exhaust from the GPU and PSU

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